Be glad you own a Spider..rant

[mdrburchette]

Cuz this X is going to be the death of me. I took it for a drive today because I felt sorry for it. The brake pedal started squeaking when I'd push in the clutch and the brake pedals at the same time and the brake pedal wouldn't come back up all the way. Evidently, there are bushings on the pedal assy. No big deal on a Spider to get the pedal assy off but with this X, you have to disconnect the metal brake and clutch lines and remove the steering column to pull the pedal assy out, replace the bushings, reinstall everything and bleed the brakes and clutch.
My fix will be to squirt some oil in there and see how it goes. This is the first time I've ever questioned the sanity of my actions when it comes to picking up a Fiat.
I also called several shops in the area, trying to find someone to help me diagnose my FI problem. As soon as I told them what it was, they all said "Sorry, we don't work on Fiats."

[ga.spyder]

Hey Denise ,were any of those repair shops I gave you still in business? I realize all my receipts were from the early 90's. I was warned that the X 's are notoriously hard to work on ,but I still would like to find one.You needed a challenge ,didnt you ?
Craig

[mbouse]

Denise, if it were a Spider there would be no challenge....just time consumption. Where's the fun in that?

You needed some excitement, some challenges, something new to dwell on. Just think...when you finally get to drive it to a FFO - fully restored! Ahh, the pleasure that will be written all over your face.

[rlux4]

Denise, just look at it this way, if perseverance is a virtue, you certainly are virtuous! Atta way to go girl!
Ron

[spiderrey]

Denise, i understand your your frustration. it took 4vor 5 months of messing with, but mine is on the road. its fun to drive but seriously under powered. i will eventually solve that problem. i dont regret buying it. im just very anxious to see what i can squeeze out of it performance wise. then it should be a blast. cant wait. in the mean time if i need to go fast ill drive the spider. by the way my pedal got stuck a few times.

[pope]

Denise, we have never doubted your sanity.

But next time you take the car out for a ride...please pin a note to your shirt with your name, phone #, and blood type.

I'll bet your daughter will not fall asleep riding in the X1/9!

[mdrburchette]

Denise, we have never doubted your sanity.

But next time you take the car out for a ride...please pin a note to your shirt with your name, phone #, and blood type.

I'll bet your daughter will not fall asleep riding in the X1/9!

That's because all you people are crazy too! Insanity loves company.
Too late, she fell asleep on the 5 hour drive home after I bought the car. The swaying motion and roaring noise, going 50 on the interstate becasue of the bad rear wheel bearing put her right to sleep.

Mike, I'm in the middle of installing new suspension bushings on my 71 Spider. If you could see me in action, you'd realize anything mechanical is a challenge for me. I've been breaking 35 year encrusted nuts and bolts by stomping and kicking on the ratchet. It truly is a sight to see.

Craig, I forgot all about the shops you told me about. I'll see if they're still in business before I drive this car off the Fiat cliff.
Thanks for the support, fellas. You really are great!

[mbouse]

[quote="mdrburchette I've been breaking 35 year encrusted nuts and bolts by stomping and kicking on the ratchet. [/quote]


i thought that was right out of the handbook. was i wrong?

[mdrburchette]

You could have told me that little secret, Mike. Which page is it on? I thought Popeye arms were required to work on Fiats.

Craig! Thank you for reminding me of that list. I had to search for our conversation, but I called one of the shops and the guy who answered said if the boss wouldn't let the car come in, he'd come to the house and work on it! Can you believe my luck? He used to be a Fiat mechanic in Winston-Salem and we actually know quite a few of the same people in the dealership business. Maybe I can stand over him while he works on it and learn a thing or two.

[ga.spyder]

That is a lucky break. I'm glad the list of old repair shops was useful.Lets hope he doesnt show up and remember why he quit working on Fiats!
Craig

[ga.spyder]

WHOOPS HIT THE BUTTON TWICE

[spidernut]

I know the feeling. I was told by so many mechanics that they "don't work on Fiats" that I was about to scream my head off at the next person who said that to me. People are afraid of what they don't know - especially when their method of estimating the repair cost is the publications that list the standard hours required to repair the vehicle (I forgot the name of the publication). As my brother said (and he works at a MAJOR Nissan shop), mechanics nowadays simply remove and replace parts until the problem is fixed...the days of the diagnostic mechanics is disappearing quickly. Thank the Lord for those mechanics who really understand the mechanics of cars!!!

[mdrburchette]

I believe the book is the Chilton labor time guide. It is a shame that the modern day technicians are parts replacers. I have a friend that has been a driveability tech for 40 years and works on GM vehicles. It's amazing to watch him diagnose a problem and when he explains what he's found, he talks like the car is a living being. What's really amazing is he remembers everything about each model through those 40 years.

[124cso]

If you're still having problems finding someone to look at your FI, remember that it's the same equipment as on some Saabs and earlier Mercs. You could just try a FI place - even a diesel injection place ? and tell them it's Bosch L-jetronic.

I have a Fiat factory FI service manual but am too far away from you.

[mdrburchette]

Thanks for the offer! I guess I should give an update. The Fiat mechanic I found repaired it for $100. The hose clamps on the air intake hose were rusted and loose and the hose from the head was split. He repaired these and test drove it. He heard a rattle in the engine and said it could be a bearing or wrist pin. Ron and I heard the rattle too so I'm going to put heavier oil in it to see if it quiets down, but I'm not too concerned over that since my plans are to resfresh my second engine and tranny combo to drop in this car later. I just didn't want to do all that with the FI not working properly. I won't be pulling the engine/tranny until I'm ready to do the bodywork and paint and that's third on my list of Fiat projects.